First Steam Deck screen replacement promises more pixels, better color

The Steam Deck’s 7-dawdle, 1280×800 screen is nothing special — the smartphone exhibit you’re doubtlessly learning this on has it beat in aesthetic powerful each draw. But it completely works for the transportable machine, being both low-label and moderately low-res for PC gaming on the stir. But within the occasion you totally will must hang greater dedication in this place part…neatly, you need to perchance additionally mute doubtlessly buy the Asus ROG Ally. But within the occasion you wish to hang it on your Steam Deck, then you definately could perchance additionally must evaluate out the DeckHD.

This aftermarket replace for the Steam Deck’s built-in LCD panel beats it in both dedication (1920×1200, preserving the 16:10 part ratio) and color accuracy, covering 95% of the sRGB color vary, about as lawful as a mid-vary notebook computer. Totally different specs match the stock screen, at the side of 400 nits of brightness and 60Hz refresh rate, despite the indisputable fact that it does reach with the anti-glare coating that Valve reserves for the more costly gadgets of the Steam Deck. Basically basically based on FX Skills Restricted, the DeckHD screen will label an estimated $Ninety 9 when it launches in…neatly, at any time when it launches. The gap doesn’t declare.

As PC Gamer notes, changing the screen on the Steam Deck will not be any cramped job for a DIY enthusiast, despite the indisputable fact that it will not be as broad as you imagine. Basically basically based on the iFixit teardown of the Steam Deck, you need to perchance well perchance rep the exhibit off the instrument without totally disassembling it from the rear (as it be predominant to enact to, declare, change the motherboard or battery). A heat gun, some at ease pry instruments, and some suction cups rep it a long way off from the body, and there’s a single phone-kind connection attaching it to the remainder of the instrument. I wouldn’t have confidence it to a beginner, but it’s completely doable within the occasion you’ve repaired cramped electronics sooner than.

But would you wish to? Each and each the Steam Deck’s hardware and instrument is tuned aesthetic finely for its 800p exhibit. It’s completely able to greater dedication — you need to perchance well perchance output its video to a 4K computer screen or TV, in any case. But working excessive-conclude games at a greater dedication goes to push the Steam Deck’s efficient but low-conclude hardware to its restrict, and perhaps beyond. These who inquire a greater-res screen within the identical place part could perchance additionally be better served by the $699 Asus ROG Ally. In my belief, I’d desire a replace of the Steam Deck’s IPS-LCD screen at the identical dedication with a pleasant OLED panel, love the upgraded Nintendo Change.

FX Skills has a waitlist for the DeckHD accessible now, but there’s no pre-pronounce or estimated open date at the time of writing.

Author: Michael Crider, Workers Author